HR0720 – Drug Free Campus and Workplace

Objective

To encourage and maintain a safe, healthful, and drug-free environment within the University of Tennessee.

Policy

Drug Free Environment

It is the policy of the University of Tennessee to maintain a safe and healthful environment for its students and employees. Therefore, university policy prohibits the unlawful use, manufacture, possession, distribution, or dispensing of drugs ("controlled substances" as defined in the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C. 812) and alcohol on university property or during university activities.

Violation of this policy is grounds for disciplinary action--up to and including immediate discharge for an employee and permanent dismissal of a student. Federal and state laws provide additional penalties for such unlawful activities, including fines and imprisonment (21 U.S.C. 841 et seq.; T.C.A. 39-6-401 et seq.). Local ordinances also provide various penalties for drug- and alcohol-related offenses. The university is bound to take all appropriate actions against violators, which may include referral for legal prosecution or requiring the individual to participate satisfactorily in an approved drug use or alcohol abuse assistance or rehabilitation program.

Individuals who are paid by the University of Tennessee from federal grants or contracts must notify the university of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring in the workplace within five days after such conviction. The university is, in turn, required to inform the granting or contracting agency of such violation within ten days of the university's receipt of notification.

Drug Screening

To maintain a safe and drug-free environment, University of Tennessee campuses and institutes may establish procedures to perform screenings for controlled substances and alcohol within areas or positions of employment that affect the public welfare or safety, or where such screenings are required by federal regulations, such as those developed by the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Aviation Administration. In addition, screenings are permissible where there is reasonable suspicion of drug or alcohol use.

Each University of Tennessee campus or institute conducting such screenings shall develop and document the necessary screening procedures. The procedures shall identify specifically the positions and locations that will require testing, the conditions under which the screenings will be conducted, and the specific plans for conducting the tests. Before implementation, all plans and procedures for such screenings must be approved by the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and the General Counsel. Costs of all required screenings will be borne by the individual campus or institute of the University of Tennessee.

A complete set of the drug screening procedures for employees in positions requiring the use of a commercial driver's license (CDL) is available for those employees and their supervisors from their campus or institute human resources office. The procedures discuss the types of screenings, when and how they are to be conducted, and the actions that will be taken by the university should the employee receive a confirmed positive alcohol or drug test.